The Italian Government has today announced that it has granted Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) its Single Authorisation Permit. The Single Authorisation is a key permit that allows TAP to move ahead with the start of pipeline construction in 2016.

TAP would like to thank the Italian Government and all those involved in the process for granting the Single Authorisation permit. This allows TAP to now move ahead with the start of pipeline construction in 2016. TAP will also continue to respect local needs and work closely with local communities to ensure they remain fully informed of the process as the project moves forward.

TAP will be ready to transport gas from Shah Deniz II to Europe in early 2020.

About the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)

TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The approximately 870 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

TAP’s routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and others. TAP’s landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian natural gas to some of the largest European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria.

TAP will promote the economic development and job creation along the pipeline route; it will be a major source of foreign direct investment and it is not dependent on grants or subsidies. With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow approximately a year later.

TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Statoil (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).